Though not as pricey as another famous Bay Area city, San Jose still ranks 25th on Expatistan's list. A furnished apartment goes for $1,505 and a basic dinner for two in a neighborhood pub costs ... more

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

25. San Jose Though not as pricey as another famous Bay Area... Photo-5739199.77958 - SFGate

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24. Minneapolis

According to Expatistan’s cost comparison tool, the cost of living in Minneapolis is 47 percent more expensive than Prague in the Czech Republic.

24. Minneapolis

According to Expatistan’s cost comparison tool, the cost of living in Minneapolis is 47 percent more expensive than Prague in the Czech Republic.

Expatistan says that the cost of living in this sunny city is 34 percent cheaper than in San Francisco.

22. Tampa, Fla.

Expatistan says that the cost of living in this sunny city is 34 percent cheaper than in San Francisco.

Photo: Getty Images

22. Tampa, Fla. Expatistan says that the cost of living in this... Photo-5739202.77958 - SFGate

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21. Detroit

It seems puzzling to see this struggling city on the list but according to site data, the price for a daily menu in Detroit’s business district costs $12 and monthly rent in a 900-square-foot apartment in a pricey area can run you $1,293.

Baltimore is known as Charm City but the cost for furnished accommodations in an expensive area of the city is anything but, coming in at $1,947.

18. Baltimore

Baltimore is known as Charm City but the cost for furnished accommodations in an expensive area of the city is anything but, coming in at $1,947.

Photo: Uyen Le, Getty Images

18. Baltimore Baltimore is known as Charm City but the cost for... Photo-5739206.77958 - SFGate

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17. Houston

Utilities for one month in a 900-square-foot apartment (including heating, electricity and gas) for 2 people costs $185 here, which may have some saying: “Houston, we have a problem.”

17. Houston

Utilities for one month in a 900-square-foot apartment (including heating, electricity and gas) for 2 people costs $185 here, which may have some saying: “Houston, we have a problem.”

Photo: David Liu, Getty Images

17. Houston Utilities for one month in a 900-square-foot... Photo-5739207.77958 - SFGate

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16. Atlanta

The state of Georgia may be known for its peaches, but in the city’s capital two pounds of apples cost $3.55, while monthly rent is $1,478.

16. Atlanta

The state of Georgia may be known for its peaches, but in the city’s capital two pounds of apples cost $3.55, while monthly rent is $1,478.

Photo: Jumper, Photodisc/Getty

16. Atlanta The state of Georgia may be known for its peaches,... Photo-5739208.77958 - SFGate

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15. Pittsburgh

The cost of living in Pittsburgh is about the same as Atlanta according to Expatistan, but the city’s higher prices in housing, clothes and transportation gave it an expensive edge to come in at number 15 on the list.

The cost of living in Pittsburgh is about the same as Atlanta according to Expatistan, but the city’s higher prices in housing, clothes and transportation gave it an expensive edge to come in at ... more

Photo: Gene J. Puskar, ASSOCIATED PRESS

15. Pittsburgh The cost of living in Pittsburgh is about the... Photo-5739209.77958 - SFGate

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14. Chicago

Prices in the Windy City might blow you away. Rent for a 900-square-foot furnished apartment comes in at $1,746, two best available tickets to the theater are $237 and a pack of Marlboro cigarettes go for $11.

Prices in the Windy City might blow you away. Rent for a 900-square-foot furnished apartment comes in at $1,746, two best available tickets to the theater are $237 and a pack of Marlboro cigarettes ... more

This California city ranks as the 13th most expensive in the country, thanks to monthly rent of $2,039, $122 in utilities and even $6 for 16 ounces of local cheese.

13. San Diego

This California city ranks as the 13th most expensive in the country, thanks to monthly rent of $2,039, $122 in utilities and even $6 for 16 ounces of local cheese.

Photo: Ron And Patty Thomas Photography, Getty Images

13. San Diego This California city ranks as the 13th most... Photo-5739211.77958 - SFGate

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12. Portland, Ore.

The cost for Portland’s monthly ticket for public transport is $96, though that still may be more cost effective than taking a taxi trip on a business day. According to Expatistan, basic tariff for five miles has a price tag of $21.

The California capital comes in at number 11 on the list, with high food and transportation costs including $5.09 for a pound of chicken, $3.89 for two pounds of tomatoes and $1.02 for a quarter of a gallon of gas.

The California capital comes in at number 11 on the list, with high food and transportation costs including $5.09 for a pound of chicken, $3.89 for two pounds of tomatoes and $1.02 for a quarter ... more

Philadelphia is known for the famous Philly cheesesteak sandwich, and the local cheese is set at a high price - $7 for 16 ounces.

6. Philadelphia

Philadelphia is known for the famous Philly cheesesteak sandwich, and the local cheese is set at a high price - $7 for 16 ounces.

Photo: Hisham Ibrahim, Getty Images

6. Philadelphia Philadelphia is known for the famous Philly... Photo-5739218.77958 - SFGate

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5. Boston

Housing in this historic city is what helped it soar to the top 5 most expensive cities in the country. Boston’s housing is 34 percent more expensive than in Philadelphia.

5. Boston

Housing in this historic city is what helped it soar to the top 5 most expensive cities in the country. Boston’s housing is 34 percent more expensive than in Philadelphia.

Photo: Mark Shane Photography, Getty Images

5. Boston Housing in this historic city is what helped it soar... Photo-5739219.77958 - SFGate

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4. Washington, D.C.

Our nation’s capital isn’t cheap. Coming in at number 4, Washington D.C., has monthly rent of $2,553 for a 900-square-feet furnished accommodation. Commuters pay $130 for a monthly ticket for public transport, according to Expatistan.

Paradise definitely comes at a price, which is why Honolulu is ranked number three on the list. The city is 24 percent more expensive than fellow beach city San Diego, with high costs for food, housing and clothes.

Paradise definitely comes at a price, which is why Honolulu is ranked number three on the list. The city is 24 percent more expensive than fellow beach city San Diego, with high costs for food, ... more

San Francisco ranks as the 2nd most expensive in the U.S., and also has higher cost of living than international cities of Sydney, Hong Kong and Milan.

2. San Francisco

San Francisco ranks as the 2nd most expensive in the U.S., and also has higher cost of living than international cities of Sydney, Hong Kong and Milan.

Photo: Chris Graythen, Getty Images

2. San Francisco San Francisco ranks as the 2nd most expensive... Photo-5739222.77958 - SFGate

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1. New York City

The Big Apple is at the top of the list, coming in as the most expensive city in America. Monthly rent is $4,078 versus close second San Francisco’s $3,769. One of the biggest differences between the two coastal cities is transportation; New York City’s being 45 percent more expensive.

What city beat out all these to earn the title of world’s most expensive city? That would be …

The Big Apple is at the top of the list, coming in as the most expensive city in America. Monthly rent is $4,078 versus close second San Francisco’s $3,769. One of the biggest differences ... more

Photo: George Rose, Getty Images

1. New York City The Big Apple is at the top of the list, coming... Photo-5739223.77958 - SFGate

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...London, England.

Everything is more expensive in this bustling city. The daily menu in the business district costs $22, monthly rent for a furnished, 900-square-foot apartment is $4,328 and a monthly public transport tickets costs a whopping $203. To put things in perspective, according to Expatistan, London is 97 percent more expensive than number 25 on this list, San Jose.